Accessible routes

The MCintosh group

1850 South Boulder Avenue Tulsa, OK

info@themcintoshgroup.com 918.585.8555
tmgADA.com themcintoshgroup.com

2013 The McIntosh Group, LLC

Accessible routes
By M. Bradley Gaskins, AIA, CASp
Providing an accessible property makes good business sense. The more than
50 million Americans with disabilities are potential customers. An accessible
business not only brings in customers with disabilities, but also their family and
friends. Accessible routes are necessary to be in compliance with the Americans
with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Definitions
An accessible route is a continuous, unobstructed path connecting all accessible
elements and spaces of a building or facility that meet the requirements of the
ADA Standards. Under these ADA Standards the minimum clear width of an
accessible route is required to be 36 inches.
The cross slope of a surface is the slope that is perpendicular to the direction
of travel. The cross slope of any accessible route may not exceed two percent
(1:48).
The running slope of a surface is the slope that is parallel to the direction of travel.
The running slope of any accessible route may not exceed five percent (1:20)
unless it is a ramp. The running slope of a ramp or curb ramp must not exceed
8.33 percent (1:12).
An accessible route must consist of one or more of the following components:
walking surfaces with a running slope not steeper than 1:20, doorways,
ramps, curb ramps excluding the flared sides, elevators, and platform lifts. All
these components of an accessible route must comply with the applicable
requirements. Well briefly discuss these requirements, but the full detailed
list can be found in section 206 and chapter 4 of the 2010 ADA Standards for
Accessible Design.
At least one accessible route shall be provided within the site from accessible
parking spaces and accessible passenger loading zones; public streets and
sidewalks; and public transportation stops to the accessible building or facility
entrance they serve. (Section 206.2.1)
All accessible routes connecting site arrival points and accessible building
entrances must coincide with or be located in the same general area as general
circulation paths. Also, where a circulation path is interior, the required accessible
route must also be located in the interior of the facility. (Section 206.3)
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Clear Width of an Accessible Route
The clear width of walking spaces on an accessible route shall be a minimum of 36
inches. This is except where the accessible route makes a 180 degree turn around
an element which is less than 48 inches wide. In this case the clear width shall be a
minimum of 42 inches approaching the turn, 48 inches minimum at the turn and 42
inches minimum leaving the turn. If the clear width at the turn is at least 60 inches
the clear width can be 36 inches approaching the turn and leaving the turn. This is
illustrated in the diagram below. (Section 403.5.2)

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Accessible routes
Passing Spaces
An accessible route with a clear width less than 60 inches is required to provide
passing spaces at intervals of 200 feet. Passing spaces must either provide a space
60 inches by 60 inches minimum, or at an intersection of two walking surfaces
providing a T-shaped space. This T-shaped space shall be within a 60 inch minimum
square with arms and base a minimum of 36 inches wide. The base and arms of
the T-shaped space shall extend 48 inches minimum beyond the intersection. This is
illustrated in the diagram below. (Section 403.5.2)

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Accessible routes
Door Openings
Door openings are required to provide a minimum clear width of 32 inches. Clear
openings of doorways with swinging doors shall be measured between the face
of the door and the stop, with the door open 90 degrees. Openings more than 24
inches deep must provide a minimum clear opening of 36 inches. It is essential
there are no projections into the required clear opening width lower than 34 inches
above the finish floor or ground. Projections into the clear opening width between
34 inches and 80 inches above the finish floor or ground must not exceed 4 inches
(for example door closer and latch). (Section 404.2.3)

Ramps
An accessible route can have a maximum slope of 5 percent (1:20); if greater than 5
percent its considered a ramp. To accommodate the widest range of users, provide
ramps with the least possible running slope and, wherever possible, accompany
ramps with stairs for use by those individuals for whom distance presents a greater
barrier than steps, e.g., people with heart disease or limited stamina. (Section
405.2)

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Accessible routes
The Standards list the following requirements for ramps:

The running slope of ramp runs shall not be steeper than 8.33 percent (1:12)
The cross slope of ramp runs shall not be steeper than 2 percent (1:48)
Changes in level other than the running slope and cross slope are not
permitted on ramp runs
The clear width of a ramp run and, where handrails are provided, the clear
width between handrails shall be 36 inches minimum
The rise for any ramp run shall be a maximum of 30 inches
Ramps that change direction between runs at landings shall have a clear
landing 60 inches minimum by 60 inches minimum

Landings shall be provided at the top and bottom of each ramp run. The Standards
list the following requirements for landings:

Changes in level are not permitted, with the exception that slopes not
steeper than 2 percent (1:48) are permitted
The landing clear length shall be a minimum of 60 inches long
The landing clear width shall be at least as wide as the widest ramp run
leading to the landing

In existing sites, buildings and facilities, ramps are permitted to have running slopes
steeper than 1:12 and complying with the table below, where such slopes are
necessary due to space limitations.
Maximum Ramp Slope and Rise for Existing Sites, Buildings and Facilities
Slope*
Steeper than 1:10 but not steeper than 1:8
Steeper than 1:12 but not steeper than 1:10
*A slope steeper than 1:8 is prohibited

Maximum Rise
3 inches
6 inches

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Accessible routes
Curb Ramps
There are a number of curb ramp configurations and orientation in section 406 of
the 2010 Standards.
The Standards list the following requirements for curb ramps:

The running slope of a curb ramp shall not be steeper than 8.33 percent
(1:12)
The clear width of a curb ramp shall be a minimum of 36 inches
Where provided, curb ramp flares shall not be steeper than 10 percent (1:10)

Landings shall be provided at the tops of curb ramps and have the following
requirements:

The landing length shall be a minimum of 36 inches

The landing width shall also be a minimum of 36 inches, and be at least the
width of the curb ramp, excluding flared sides, leading to the landing
Slopes less than 2 percent (1:48), in all directions, are permitted
Landings subject to wet conditions shall be designed to prevent the
accumulation of water

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Accessible routes
The counter slopes of adjoining gutters and road surfaces immediately adjacent to
the curb ramp shall not be steeper than 5 percent (1:20). The adjacent surfaces at
transitions at curb ramps to walks, gutters and streets shall be smooth and at the
same level. The second sentence here is better explained with the language from
the 1991 Standards, Transitions from ramps to walks, gutters, or streets shall be
flush and free of abrupt changes.
Curb ramps and flared sides must be located so that they do not project into
vehicular traffic lanes, parking spaces or parking access aisles.
The McIntosh Group is an architecture firm focused on providing accessibility, brand
management and program management solutions for successful clients nationwide. Based
in Tulsa, Oklahoma, they are licensed in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto
Rico. Founded in 1998, they focus on clients in the banking, convenience store, retail,
hospitality and restaurant industries. For information on The McIntosh Group visit
www.themcintoshgroup.com.
This white paper is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information on the
Americans with Disabilities Act. It is provided with the understanding that the author is not
an attorney and is not engaged in rendering legal or other professional service. Additionally
the ADA is subject to interpretation of the courts and the DOJ. If legal advice or other expert
professional assistance is required, the services of competent professionals should be
sought.

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